Why join the JUSTICE study?

  • Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among Black men (7890 deaths in 2022) and the second leading cause of cancer death among Black women (6270 deaths in 2022). 1
  • Take part in research that will change the future of lung cancer treatment for people who are under-represented in clinical trials
  • Learn how clinical trials and biomarker testing can lead to better outcomes for people with lung cancer
  • Get treatment and care at a cancer center supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which gives the best and most advanced care for people with cancer

What is Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)?

  • Non-small cell lung cancer is a type of lung cancer that can affect smokers and nonsmokers. It makes up 85% of all lung cancers, thus, it is the most common type of lung cancer diagnosed. There are 3 subtypes of NSCLC: 1) Adenocarcinoma, 2) Squamous cell carcinoma, 3) Large cell carcinoma. 

Our Study’s Goal

  • To improve treatment-related outcomes in Black people diagnosed with advanced or metastatic NSCLC through access to biomarker testing and clinical trials for treatment with immunotherapy. 

Who can join?

  • Individuals who identify as Black (i.e., African American)
  • At least 18 years of age
  • Have non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

To learn more, contact Ana Aminpour or Charna Noel. 

How will it work?

  • The duration of this study can be up to 5 years. Upon joining the study, you will be asked to:
    • Answer questions about your experiences with barriers to clinical trials, biomarker testing, and recent history of antibiotic and probiotic use.
    • Give blood and stool samples
    • Possibly give a lung tissue sample (i.e., biopsy)
    • Have imaging tests, such as chest x-ray, MRI, CT, PET-CT, or ultrasonography

Who will be helped?

  • Compared to whites, Black people with NSCLC are more likely to develop NSCLC and have a lower 5-year relative survival rate (20% vs 22%). 1
    • Our study aims to understand the barriers to clinical trials and biomarker testing and provides an opportunity to access these resources that may enhance outcomes among Black people with advanced or metastatic NSCLC.
    • Our knowledge of how immunotherapy impacts outcomes among Black people with NSCLC is limited. This study will provide clues as to how immunotherapy (e.g., pembrolizumab) alters biomarkers, such as circulating tumor DNA, and if they can predict response to immunotherapy.

How might the JUSTICE study lead to future change?

  • A major step in identifying contributing factors to racial disparities in access to clinical trials and biomarker testing for personalized treatment for lung cancer is through asking under-represented patients what barriers and challenges they have experienced that is discouraging them from accessing clinical trials and biomarker testing. Our hope is that by identifying these barriers, we can find solutions that will help to remove those barriers- increasing access to better treatment options for Black people with lung cancer. Learn more about our study team.

 

References

  1. Giaquinto AN et al. cancer statistics for African American/Black people 2022. CA Cancer J Clin 2022;72:202-229.